Effect of Scattering by Fluidization of Electrically Conductive Beads on Electrical Field Intensity Profile in Microwave Dryers

Abstract: A technology to apply a fluidized bed of electrically conductive beads is proposed to improve uniformity of the electric field intensity in microwave dryers, which are required for uniform heating of wet media. The principle of this effectiveness lies in a dynamic random scattering of microwave due to motion of the conductive beads in the bed. The electrically conductive beads were prepared by wrapping aluminum foil around styrene foam balls with cellophane tape. The diameter and density were 13 mm and 123 kg/m3, respectively. The minimum fluidizing velocity of these beads agreed with the one predicted by the Wen–Yu equation when the distributor was a porous plate. However, the fluidization of the beads took place at a lower gas rate than the minimum fluidizing velocity due to a jet flow from the small pores for the distributor of a perforate plate. The intensity in the applicator of a commercial microwave oven became the most uniform when the beads were fluidized with a uniform holdup profile along the height of the bed placed in front of the applicator walls. The dynamic effect making the intensity uniform by the fluidization was advanced by increasing the area of apparent reflection by the fluidized bed and the holdup of beads and was superior to a conventional stirring blade.